Dixie

I am here to tell you about the dreadful day that changed my life forever. My name is Jess, I am 20 years old, and I have one fat “kankle” because of the events that took place on July 3, 2008.

The day started out just like any other day, except for the fact that I was in St. George, four hours away from my home and family. Normally this wouldn’t have been an issue, but it’s not everyday that you wind up in a hospital recovering from an emergency surgery. I was in St. George attending a soccer camp at Dixie College. It was the summer before my sophomore year of high school, which is the most important year when it comes to getting a scholarship for college soccer. I came to the camp with a slightly torn meniscus, so my coaches were hesitant to put me in. My assistant coach went out on a limb and took a risk that would cost me half of my crucial sophomore season. We were playing Alta High School and we were about 15 minutes into the game. Just as I was getting comfortable on the sideline, I heard my name called and looked up surprised. Sure enough, my coach was looking at me and signaling for me to go and warm up. I took a short jog and did a few stretches before I made my way to the half line to sub in. I had been in the game for about 5 minutes when I was part of the play that would bring my week at Dixie soccer camp to an end. I remember it like it was yesterday, I had the ball at my feet and my back to the goal, so I didn’t see Alta’s keeper coming out of her box. I planted my left leg and began to turn to get my shot off. That was when I heard it, a loud crack that still brings shivers down my back when I think about it.

After the snap of my ankle everything went hazy. I remember looking down at my foot and seeing my ankle bone sticking out one direction and my foot facing the other way. I remember screaming at the top of my lungs for help and lying there in agony, waiting for the ambulance to come. I was rushed to the hospital where I remember getting X-rayed. I remember being nervous, I had never been to this hospital before, I had no idea what surgery the doctor wanted to do, and I had no idea who the surgeon even was. The nurse told me to count to 10. I started to count; 1, 2, 3, and then it was lights out. I woke up to the comforting feeling of my mom tickling my arm. My parents had gotten the phone call and made the 4 hour drive in record time. The surgeon came in to explain what he had done. He told us I had broken my tibia and fibula. He said he should have put in 2 screws and a plate but had taken a risk and just done one screw. The one screw would help me to gain back movement in my ankle twice as fast, rather than using the extra screw and plate. I was not too happy about his risk taking at first, but it definitely payed off.

It was a long road to recovery. I was on crutches for the first month, and then in a walking boot for the next month. I missed the first 2 months of my high school season. For the next year following the incident I was hesitant to go in for any tackles. It was so frustrating for me knowing how much slower I was. Before my surgery I could always rely on my speed to get around defenders but until I was completely recovered I had to adjust to being slow and not having that ability. It took a lot of faith and I had to rely on the Lord, and trust that He would help me make up for time I lost. My prayers were answered and I was able to get a scholarship to play soccer at Brigham Young University. Although I will always have the scar, the pain is gone and my ankle does not slow me down anymore. I will forever remember the frustration and heartache I went through during that recovery time. It is a constant reminder that the Lord is always there willing to help you get through difficult times. Even though this experience was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to go through, I wouldn’t change it if I had the chance. We all have trials in our lives, and it’s these trials that make us stronger and prepare us for the tough times ahead.

Subscribe

Get Teen Ink’s 48-page monthly print edition. Written by teens since 1989.